EverythingHealth is designed to address the rapid changes in Science, Medicine, Health and Healing in the 21st Century. This site will sift through the vast amount of confusing data and simplify issues that are of interest to everyone interested in a healthy life and longevity. The writings on EverythingHealth are entirely my own views and opinions.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Abortion Rights and Health Care Bill

Now that the Senate and the House have each approved a health care bill, we can expect the debate to continue into 2010 as they try to merge the language and fight for their different language and approaches to providing coverage and paying for it. "The Republicans vow to make the process as difficult as possible in hopes of stopping the legislation", according to the Washington Post. Nothing will be more contentious than abortion.

The current Senate bill allows any state to bar the use of federal subsidies for insurance plans that cover abortion. Only dollars from private premiums would be used to pay for abortions. This requires the States to divide subsidy money into separate accounts.

Since there is already a 30 year-old-rule that prohibits the use of federal money for elective abortions, I do not see why new language is needed that will hold up the process. Abortion opponents want new health care legislation to prevent women from buying plans that cover abortion, no matter which dollars the insurer uses to pay for it. In effect, it would make abortion an uninsured cost to all women.

A poll done by the Pew Research Center showed only 3% of respondents who opposed health care overhaul cited abortion as a reason. So why is the abortion issue threatening to side tract the broader debate about health care?

6 comments:

Some people are obsessed with the abortion issue. It seems to be the sole driving force in their life that gives it meaning. Of course I support abortion rights but please, lets just look past it for the moment (on both sides) to get the bill passed - it can be tweaked later!

About Me

I am an Internal Medicine physician who has practiced for over 25 years in Northern California. I was previously the President of the SF Medical Society and Chief of Staff at a large academic medical center. I am currently the Chief Executive Officer for a large Physician and health care provider group in Northern
California. My practice is smaller now
but caring for patients is still the most important part of my work. I love taking care of patients one:one as well as influencing health care at a larger level.
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